Species Overview

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KeyPics/cc237A.jpg

Chelonaplysilla polyraphus (de Laubenfels, 1930)

Synonyms:
Aplysilla polyraphus de Laubenfels, 1930.

SPONGE:
Shape: Encrusting
Size_Thickness: 5 mm
Color_Alive: Deep Purple
Consistency: Spongy Soft
Note: Gives off purple pigment when collected
HABITAT:
Benthic Region: Marine: Intertidal;Subtidal; Deep water
Distribution: Southern California

CHARACTERS

Skeleton:
Composition: Spongin
Architecture: Fibrous reticulation in one plane; Meshes of Dendritic Fibers with openings 120-300 µm
Spongin:
Type: Primary
Diameter: 80 --180 µ
Core: packed with foreign spicules
Surface:
Texture: superficiallly smooth with scattered conules 1 mm high
Ectosome:
Architecture: Fibrous reticulation in one plane
Architecture: Meshes with openings 120 - 300 µm in diameter
Choanosome:
Architecture: Minimal protoplasm and large numbers of foreign spicules. This permeated by dendritic fibers